Osteoarthritis consumers as co-researchers: identifying consumer insights to improve osteoarthritis management by co-designing translational research solutions

Introduction: Co-design is a consumer-driven approach that facilitates consumer participation in creating meaningful solutions to complex problems. Poor uptake of core management strategies for osteoarthritis suggests there is a missing link in translation between research and practice. We partnered with osteoarthritis consumers as ‘co-researchers’ to identify translational research solutions to improve uptake of core management strategies that are grounded in lived experiences. Objective: To transparently describe a theory-driven, generative co-design approach using an integrated conceptual framework to collaborate with consumers at the equal partnership level. Design: We used co-design workshops with a non-hierarchical participatory framework. Three workshops with six co-researchers [2 female, mean age 68.7 (9.8) years, 3–30 years symptom duration] were conducted using activities to encourage creative thinking, promote deep reflection on personal/societal beliefs and minimise sensitivities around sharing personal beliefs (e.g., establishing a safe space, prompting questions, perspective-taking, counter-stereotypical exemplars). Results: All six co-researchers actively participated in the workshops. Achievement of an equal collaborative partnership was evidenced by co-researchers challenging a project proposed by the research team and making alternative recommendations that have been implemented in prospective decision-making – representing a complete change in research focus driven by consumer input. A key suggested solution was to develop a scalable knowledge translation intervention that targets misconceptions about osteoarthritis and its management at the societal-level. Conclusions: Through an innovative co-design approach in partnership with co-researchers, we identified meaningful areas on which to focus translational research for osteoarthritis. Discordance between existing research priorities and novel solutions proposed by co-researchers highlights the value of co-design.